Abortion bill heads to Governor Snyder

A bill to enact a state ban on a controversial abortion procedure is on its way to Governor Rick Snyder for his signature. The procedure is already illegal under federal law, and the governor has gone on record saying he’d rather avoid controversial social questions while he focuses on a jobs-creation strategy.

Snyder’s predecessor, Governor Jennifer Granholm, twice vetoed bills that would outlaw the procedure abortion foes call “partial birth abortion.” There was some question on whether Governor Snyder would sign the ban. He has said the abortion issue is not a priority of his when policymakers should focus on fixing Michigan’s economy. But Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley says the governor does oppose the procedure.

“The governor took a position in the campaign in favor of a ban on partial-birth abortion and that position remains today,” Calley said.

Social conservatives in Governor Snyder’s party have been looking for a signal that he is willing to deal with them on their priorities. The governor has bucked that wing of the GOP on a few questions, including his support for embryonic stem cell research.